Trained therapists use sensors to monitor your brainwaves and a specialised computer program to send feedback to you through a series of ‘tones’ when your brainwaves are functioning within an optimal range. The stimuli (tones) only occur when your brainwaves are within that optimal range, acting as a reward for your brain. When your brainwaves fire at a rate that is not optimal, you will not hear a tone. This signals to your brain that something is out of balance and encourages it to “figure out” how to return to the optimal range to be rewarded again by the stimuli. Over the course of a neurofeedback training program, your brain learns from this feedback through practice and repetition. Due to your brain’s “neuroplasticity” (ability to create new pathways), this can promote lasting functional changes within your brain activity. Your brain can learn to consistently operate within an optimal range, even outside of your training sessions, which in turn helps to alleviate your accompanying symptoms.

Your brain is amazingly adaptable, also known as “neuroplasticity”. It is capable of adjusting to improve its own performance if given cues about what to change. When the brain is regulating itself well and is alert and attentive, brainwaves show particular patterns. Through neurofeedback, we challenge your brain to maintain this new optimal state of functioning.

Everyone’s brain (and the brainwaves they produce) is unique, therefore the results will vary from person to person. That said, someone whose brain is consistently operating in an optimal state usually exhibits the following traits:

• Increased presence and focus
• Greater calmness and patience
• Reduced reactivity or irritability
• Enhanced ability to handle emerging issues.
• Decreased symptoms

The effects of neurofeedback are cumulative. After the first few sessions, the improvements you experience may wear off in a day or two. However, with continued training, the changes will last longer. Once the training is complete and your brain has integrated enhanced self-regulation, the benefits should be robust. Setbacks may occur following severe stressors, such as major illness, accidents, surgery, or significant hormonal shifts. If this happens, you may find it helpful to return for booster sessions.

Neurofeedback is a safe and non-invasive method of treatment/therapy. There are no electric currents being applied to the brain whatsoever. EEG sensors simply record and display a picture of your brain activity (waves) as it happens, and this information is utilised to gradually strengthen your brain to its optimal state.

While most people will respond positively to NFB, there are certain individuals who may not benefit from it (i.e., their brainwaves do not respond effectively to the training). Candidates for NFB will be required to have a formal diagnosis of PTSD (DSM V) from their referring physician or psychiatrist. It will be determined during the initial assessment whether an individual is a good candidate for Neurofeedback.

Individuals receiving neurofeedback at Family Services Windsor-Essex generally go through the following process:

Step 1: Initial Assessment, including Clinical Interview(s) and a Brain Analysis.

Step 2: Brain Training Sessions (approximately 3-month training).

Step 3: Review and personalised plan for post-treatment success through progress reports every quarter.

The decision to monitor results every three months, rather than monthly, is based on the nature of brain wave changes. These changes do not occur abruptly but develop gradually over time. A three-month interval allows for the observation of meaningful and substantial shifts.

The reports we analyse are designed to capture trends that emerge over three to six months, providing a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of long-term neurological patterns. In contrast, monthly monitoring would likely highlight only minor, short-term fluctuations, which could obscure the more significant and lasting changes essential for effective analysis.

Audio Stimulation Therapy will be conducted twice daily, while Neurofeedback Training will be scheduled three times per week. Each session for both modalities lasts approximately one hour.

Recognising the commitment required for consistent therapy, we have made Neurofeedback exercises more accessible for home use. By renting an additional headband, you can complete your sessions at your convenience, ensuring minimal disruption to your daily routine.

No, the treatment goes beyond controlled audio and visual stimulation. It uses a specialised headband with electrodes to target brainwave activity in the prefrontal cortex, guiding and optimising brain function. Additionally, MIT incorporates calibrated tones and frequencies for therapeutic effects.

To ensure comfort and engagement, our staff integrates enjoyable activities like games or movies during training, making the sessions more manageable.

Regarding potential side effects of neurofeedback stimulation, our experience has shown minimal to no adverse effects. However, maintaining treatment continuity is crucial. Disrupting therapy before achieving sufficient brainwave stabilisation may result in a regression to the initial state.

It is also important to consider the limitations in cases of long-term dementia. In such instances, the focus shifts from reversing the condition to managing behavioral symptoms effectively. While neurofeedback can provide valuable support, its effectiveness is limited in addressing chronic neurological conditions. Our goal is always to tailor treatment plans to maximise each individual’s comfort and well-being within achievable outcomes.

Achieving lasting neuroplastic changes typically requires a treatment duration of six to nine months. To meticulously track your progress, we will generate a detailed progress report every three months. During these reviews, we will thoroughly discuss the findings, similar to our initial consultation, ensuring you understand the evolving patterns of your brainwave activity.
The goal of neurofeedback is to induce neuroplasticity through repetitive brainwave stimulation, essentially ‘exercising’ the brain to create enduring changes. 1 While the aim is to establish permanent effects, the duration of these effects can vary depending on individual factors and the specific condition being addressed. In many cases, the changes achieved during the six-to-nine-month period result in sustained improvements. 2 However, some individuals may benefit from periodic maintenance sessions to reinforce these changes and support long-term stability. 3 We will closely monitor your progress and provide personalised recommendations to optimise your long-term well-being